Transitional Diabetes Program Saves Lives

A year ago, Raju Bakshi was 236 pounds with a 44-inch waist. His exercise regimen included sitting on the couch and watching TV. And he depended on regular insulin injections.

Since then, Bakshi has dropped more than 50 pounds and 10 inches off his waist. He runs and lifts weights five days a week. He’s transformed his diet to include more lean protein, fruits and veggies, and less carbohydrates.

And today, Bakshi no longer needs insulin.

The 49-year-old said the doctors at the Free Clinic of SW Washington helped him turn his life around.

“All because of these guys I’m on my two feet,” he said. “Without medicine or without these guys I would have been a dead man.”

The Free Clinic recently launched a new program for undiagnosed diabetics or diagnosed diabetics who cannot rein in the disease.

The Free Clinic provides low-income people with free basic health care on a walk-in basis, as well as dental, vision and specialty care. Hundreds of health care professionals donate their time to provide the services.

In the last few years, physicians at the clinic have noticed an uptick in the number of patients coming in with uncontrolled diabetes, said Patrick Callahan, clinic director. So clinic administrators began plans for a transitional diabetic care program.

The Regence Foundation provided an $11,000 grant to get the program off the ground. Bakshi was part of the “test run” of the program before it officially launched in January.

Word has already spread about the new program, which has about 50 to 60 patients at any given time, Callahan said.

“Even now, just starting, we’re kind of already hitting our max,” he said.

Patients are typically referred to the program through physicians at area urgent care clinics. Patients then have several visits with a doctor who specializes in diabetes care until their disease is under control. During those visits, educators teach patients about healthy diet, exercise and how to manage diabetes. The patients are given blood glucose test strips and prescribed medication.

Once stabilized, the patients are connected to other clinics, such as New Heights Clinic or Sea Mar Community Health Center, where they can be connected with primary care providers.

Prior to the launch of the program, Callahan said, physicians at the clinic would refill medication and hope patients found ongoing care elsewhere.

“Then we would typically see them back here because they were uncontrolled again,” Callahan said.

Bakshi turned to the clinic after he was laid off from his job and lost his health care benefits. He has since found a new job with health benefits, which will go into effect in another month.

“I’ve learned how to eat right. I’ve been educated on how to do that,” Bakshi said. “It’s been a combination of my motivation and my doctor’s help.”

Bakshi’s physician also told him the medication won’t help unless he’s willing to help himself. Bakshi said he doesn’t want to see a doctor for diabetes-related problems for the rest of his life.

“It’s been quite an awakening for me,” he said. “It’s not the disease, it’s how we battle it.”

Story by Marissa Harshman: 360-735-4546 or marissa.harshman@columbian.com.